Wall bracket device



y 14, 1963 1.. J. HAYS 3,089,439

WALL BRACKET DEVICE Filed March '7, 1961 "o vow lwwo 31?? ZZZ United States Patent s ag-s39 WALL BRAQKET DEVICE Lloyd J. Hays, 15532 Tapper Sta, Sepulveda, Calif. Filed Mar. 7, H61, Ser. No. 94,074 a tClaims. (Cl. tea-r52 The present invention relates to means for supporting a shelf upon which objects can be placed, and more particularly, to a new and improved means by which such a shelf may be secured to a wall.

It is very frequently desired to secure a shelf to an already existing wall such as a plastered wall in a home. Usually at the time the wall was constructed, no provision was made for the mounting of a shelf thereon. Accordingly, heretofore it has been necessary to support the weight of the shelf by fastening means that are driven into the already set plaster. Although this can be accomplished, it requires a substantial amount of skill to prevent substantial damage to the plaster and, as a result, there has very frequently been extensive damage to the surface of the plaster and a failure of the fastening means to be securely embedded in the wall.

Such shelves have heretofore been secured to the wall by a plurality of fastening means. This has not only aggravated the foregoing difiiculties, but has also required that the fastening means be securely fastened in precise relative positions to insure a truly level shelf. As a result, such shelves have frequently not been sufiiciently rigid and/or level after they are secured on the wall. This has been particularly true where the shelves have been installed by persons having little or no skill in the art of making and mounting devices of this nature.

It is, therefore, proposed to overcome the foregoing objections by providing means for securing a shelf to a wall whereby even an inexperienced or unskilled person can easily secure a shelf to a wall with a minimum amount of tools and time, and yet obtain a shelf that is level and very rigidly supported. More particularly, this is to be accomplished by providing support means which include a shelf member adapted to form a substantially horizontal surface and only a single member such as an anchor that is secured to the wall. The anchor may be secured to the wall at a point adjacent the center of one edge of the shelf to thereby support at least that portion of the shelf. In addition, at least one diagonal brace member may be disposed below the shelf oblique to the wall and the shelf so as to slidably engage both the wall and the underside of the shelf. An adjustable biasing member may be provided between each brace member and the anchor so that tension in the biasing member will cause the diagonal member to be forced into tight engagement with the shelf and wall. As a result, once the anchor is secured to the wall and the rest of the structure is assembled, the biasing member may be tightened so as to force all of the brace members together and against the wall. Thus, once the shelf is properly leveled and exactly positioned about the anchor, further tightening of the biasing member will force the brace members against the wall with sufiicient force to prevent sliding thereof and thereby form a rigid support for the shelf.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a support means employing one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are views of different portions of the support means of the embodiment of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a support BrhdQABQ Patented May 14, 1963 means employing a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are views of different portions of the support means of FIGURE 6.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and particularly to FIGURES 1 to 5 inclusive, the present invention is embodied in support means '10 particularly adapted for mounting a shelf 12; in a right angle corner 14 formed by the intersection of a pair of orthogonally disposed walls 16 and 18. t

The shelf 12 includes plane surfaces on the top and bottom thereof which are adapted to be disposed substantially horizontally when the shelf 12 is properly positioned in the corner 14. The shelf 12 preferably comprises a quadrant having a pair of straight sides 20 and Z2 and an arcuate edge 24. Thestraight sides 20 and 22 are disposed at right angles to each other. Thus, when the shelf 12 is properly disposed in the corner 14 at right angles thereto, each straight edge 29 or 22 will engage the adjacent wall 16 or 18 along the entire length of the edge.

In order to retain the shelf 12 properly positioned in the corner 14 for supporting objects thereon, an anchor 26 and a diagonal brace member 28 may be provided. The anchor 26 comprises a member having a flat surface 30 on the top thereof and a pair of orthogonal arms 32 and 34. Each of the arms 32 and 34- is adapted to engage Walls 16 and 18 respectively and be secured thereto by any suitable fastening means 36 such as a nail or screw. Anchor 26 is preferably so positioned that the flat surface 30 on the top thereof will be as close as possible to the horizontal to thereby form a seat for supporting at least the corner portion of the shelf 12. If desired, the shelf 12 may be permanently secured to the anchor 26 by means of one or more screws 38 that extend upwardly into the underside of the shelf 12.

As will subsequently become apparent, the skill with which the anchor 26 is secured to the walls 16 and 13 will not materially affect the rigidity or the levelness of the shelf 12. In addition, the fastening means 36 and adjacent portions of the walls 16 and 18 will be completely concealed from view whereby moderate damage to the wall will not be apparent.

To support the remaining portions of the shelf 12, the diagonal brace member 28 is provided below the shelf 12 so as to extend diagonally between the walls 16 and 1% and the bottom of the shelf 12. Although this member 23 may have any desired shape, in the present instance it comprises a triangle. One edge 4% of this member 28 is beveled to engage the underside of the shelf 12 while the remaining two edges 42 and 44 are beveled to engage the two walls 16 and 18. The triangle preferably has at least the two edges 42 and 44 thereof which bear against the walls 16 and 18 of equal length so as to be symmetrical about a vertical plane through the center of the triangle.

In the present instance, the triangle is equilateral with all three sides of equal length for aesthetic purposes as well as to simplify the assembling of the support means 10.

The diagonal brace member 28 is preferably retained in position by means of a biasing member that forces the brace member 28 inwardly toward the corner 14. In the present instance, this biasing member comprises a bolt 46 that has one end 48 thereof pivotally secured to the anchor 26. The other end 50 of the member 46 is threaded and is adapted to extend through an opening 52 in the center of the diagonal brace 28. A nut 54 of decorative design is threaded onto the outer end of the bolt 46 and tightened sufficiently to force the brace member '28 inwardly against the walls 16 and 18 and the shelf 3 12 to form a rigid structure. This structure will include the two walls 16 and 18, the shelf 12, and the brace member 28. These four members 12, 16, 18 and 28 will thus form a rigid pyramid having the apex thereof located adjacent the anchor 26 and the base thereof formed by the member 28. p

In order to utilize the present embodiment of the invention to secure a shelf 12 in a corner, the anchor member 26 is first placed in the corner 14 at the desired height and as near as possible to the horizontal. The fastening means 36 are then embedded into the walls 16 and 18 so as to secure the anchor 26 in this position. The corner of the shelf 12 is then placed on the anchor 26 and secured thereto by the screws 38. The diagonal brace member 28 is then placed below the shelf 12 and against the walls 16 and 18 so that the threaded end 50 of the bolt 46 will project through the opening 52. Since the bolt 46 becomes enclosed by the brace member 23, it has been found advisable to employ a sleeve 55 that slidably fits over the bolt 46 and extends the effective length thereof until the threads are through the opening 52. A decorative washer 56 and the nut 54 are then placed on the bolt 46 and tightened.

As the nut 54 is tightened onto the bolt 46, the diagonal brace member 28 will be forced inwardly toward the corner 14 so that the edges 42 and 44 thereof will come into tight engagement with the walls 16 and 18. The remaining edge 40 will engage the bottom side of the shelf 12 along a line spaced from the corner 14 and thereby support the shelf 12. It should be noted that since the two sides 42 and 44 of the triangle are of equal length, the member 28 will be forced to become symmetrically disposed about a vertical plane bisecting the angle of the corner 14. This in turn will insure the upper edge 46 of the brace 28 being horizontal. Accordingly, if the nut 54 is tightened just sufiiciently to draw the edge 40 up to the height of the top 30 of the anchor 26, the shelf 12 will be perfectly level. In addition, since the bolt 46 is in tension and all the members in the pyramid are compressed together, even though the anchor 26 may not be extremely rigidly secured to the walls, there will be no play between any of the members. It may thus be seen that a support means has been provided for a shelf 12 that will insure the shelf 12 being horizontal and rigidly secured in place even though it is assembled by an unskilled person.

Although the foregoing embodiment of the invention is particularly adapted to be utilized in a right angle corner, the embodiment 6t) disclosed in FIGURES 6, 7, 8 and 9 may be employed when it is desired to secure the shelf 62 to a plane surface on a wall 64.

In this embodiment, the shelf 62 comprises plane surfaces on the top and bottom that are adapted to be disposed substantially horizontal when the shelf 62 is secured in position on the wall 64. The edge of the shelf 62 that is adapted to engage the wall is substantially straight. The remaining portion of the shelf 62 may be bounded by an edge having a decorative shape such as a semicircle.

In order to retain the shelf 62 properly positioned on the wall 64 for supporting objects thereon, an anchor 79 and a pair of diagonal brace members 72 and 74 may be provided. Although the anchor 70 may be fabricated in any suitable manner, in this embodiment it comprises a sheet metal strip which is bent to provide a backing portion 76, a flat surface 78 on the top thereof and a pair of arms 80 and 82. The backing portion 76 consists of a plane member that is adapted to engage the wall 64 and be secured thereto by suitable fastening such as screws 84. The anchor 70 is preferably positioned so that the flat surface 78 will be as horizontal as possible to thereby form a seat for supporting at least the center portion of the shelf 62. If desired, the shelf 62 may be permanently secured to the anchor 70 by means of one or more screws 86 that extend upwardly into the bottom of the shelf 62.

To support the remaining portions of the shelf 62, the two diagonal brace members 72 and 74 may be provided. Although these members 72 and 7 4 may have any desired shape, in the present instance they are both substantially identical to each other and to the triangular brace member 28 in the first embodiment. One edge 88 and 90 of each member 72 and 74 is beveled to fit against the bottom side of the shelf 62 when the members 72 and 74 are in position. Another edge 92 and 94 of each member 72 and 74 is beveled to engage the wall 64 while the remaining edges 96 and 98 are beveled to fit against each other.

Each of the diagonal members 72 and 74 is preferably retained in position by means of a corresponding biasing member such as a bolt 100 or 102 adapted to bias the two brace members 72 and 74 inwardly toward the anchor 70 and toward each other. Each of the bolts 100 and 102 has the head thereof secured to one of the arms or 82. The other ends are threaded and adapted to extend through openings in the centers of the brace members 72 and 74. A nut 104 may be secured to each of the bolts 1% and 102 so as to be able to adjust the tension in the bolts 1G6 and 162 and thereby control the extent to which the two brace members 72 and 74 are forced inwardly.

In order to utilize this embodiment of the invention to secure a shelf 62 to a flat portion of a wall 64, the anchor 70 is first secured to the wall 64 at the desired location by means of the screws 84. The center of shelf 62 is then placed on the flat surface 76 formed on top of the anchor 70. If desired, the shelf 62 may then be secured in position by means of screws 86. The two diagonal brace members 72 and 74 are then placed under the shelf 62 so that the edges 96 and 98 will engage each other while edges 92 and 94 engage the wall 64. The threaded ends of the bolts 100 and 102 are then made to extend through the center of the braces 72 and 74 and the nuts 104 threaded thereon. The nuts 104 are gradually tightened so as to simulatneously draw the two members 72 and 74 toward each other and the wall 64 until the two edges 88 and are in a horizontal plane which includes the surface 78 on the top of anchor 70. Thus assembled, the brace members 72 and 74, the shelf 62 and the wall 64 will form a rigid pyramid structure that will retain the shelf 62 rigidly supported in a horizontal position.

I claim:

1. Support means comprising at least three plane members for securing to a wall member, at least one of said plane members comprising a shelf having a surface for disposition in a substantially horizontal position when secured to said wall, at least one of the other of said members being a triangle, each side of said triangular member being arranged to engage one of said other members whereby said members will form a pyramid, said pyramid having a base thereof formed by said triangular member and an apex thereof adjacent said wall member, and biasing means adapted to be operatively interconnected between said apex and said base so as to force said triangular member toward said apex.

2. Support means for disposition in a corner formed by the intersection of a pair of orthogonally disposed walls, said support means comprising a shelf for positioning in said corner substantially normal to both of said walls, said shelf including a pair of orthogonally disposed bearing surfaces to surface engage said walls when said shelf is disposed in said position, an anchor for securing to said walls adjacent said corner, said anchor being effective to support at least a portion of said shelf, a triangular member for oblique disposition to said walls and said shelf so as to have said bearing surfaces thereon slidably engage said shelf and said walls, and biasing means for interconnecting said anchor and said member, said biasing means being operative to force said member against said walls and said shelf whereby substantially all of said bearing surfaces may be forced into intimate contact with said walls.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said triangular member is an isosceles wherein the bearing surfaces engaging said walls are equal.

4. Support means for disposition in a corner formed by the intersection of a pair of orthogonally disposed walls, said support means comprising a shelf for positioning in said corner substantially normal to said walls, said shelf including a pair of orthogonally disposed bearing surfaces for engagement with said Walls when said shelf is normal thereto, an anchor for securing to said walls at said corner for supporting at least the portion of said shelf adjacent said corner, a member arranged for oblique disposition to said Walls and said shelf and having bearing surfaces slidably engageable with said shelf and said walls for supporting the remaining portions of said shelf, and biasing means for operative interconnection between said anchor and said member so as to force said member against said shelf and said walls whereby substantially all of said bearing surfaces may be forced into intimate contact with said walls.

5. Support means comprising a shelf member having at least one edge adapted to engage a wall member along a substantially straight horizontal line, an anchor adapted to be secured to said Wall member adjacent the center of said line to support at least a portion of said shelf, a pair of triangular members having each of the edges thereof forming bearing surfaces, one of said bearing surfaces on each of said triangular members being adapted to engage said wall member, another of said bearing surfaces on each of said triangular members being adapted to engage said shelf member, the remaining bearing surfaces being adapted to engage each other whereby said members form a rigid pyramid, a pair of bolts having the heads thereof adapted to be secured to said anchor, the other ends of each said bolts extending through one of said triangular members whereby increasing the tension in said bolts will force said triangular members together and against said shelf member and said wall member so as to compress said pyramid.

6. In an arrangement for supporting a shelf from a Wall, the combination of:

an anchor having means thereon accommodating direct attachment to the wall,

6 a supporting brace for disposition in angular relation to the Wall and to the shelf to be supported, tensioning means for interconnecting the brace and the anchor,

said tensioning means including means thereon to effectively vary the length thereof.

7. In an arrangement for supporting a shelf at the comer juncture of a pair of perpendicularly arranged walls, the combination of:

an anchor having means thereon to accommodate direct attachment to at least one of said walls at said corner uncture,

a brace for angular disposition relative to said shelf,

said brace having a triangular configuration when seen in plan view,

and tensioning means comprising a connecting element securable at one end thereof to said anchor and at the other end thereof to said brace,

means on said tensioning means to vary the effective length thereof whereby said brace may be brought into firm engagement with said walls and said shelf.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7,

and including angular bracing surfaces formed on the edges of said triangular brace for faying engagement with said walls and .said shelf.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,207 Traeger Nov. 19, 1895 582,097 Roos May 4, 1897 847,275 Bonenberger Mar. 12, 1907 1,306,452 White June 10, 1919 1,360,180 Congdon Nov. 23, 920 1,457,066 Kestner May 29, 1923 1,500,487 Carlin July 8, 1924 1,607,887 Fowler Nov. 23, 1926 11,614,719 Dabney Jan. 18, 1927 2,289,451 Porcelli July 14, 1942 2,340,545 Marsh Feb. 1, 1944 2,371,329 Hirsch Mar. 13, 1945 

6. IN AN ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPORTING A SHELF FROM A WALL, THE COMBINATION OF: AN ANCHOR HAVING MEANS THEREON ACCOMMODATING DIRECT ATTACHMENT TO THE WALL A SUPPORTING BRACE FOR DISPOSITION IN ANGULAR RELATION TO THE WALL AND TO THE SHELF TO BE SUPPORTED, TENSIONING MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING THE BRACE AND THE ANCHOR, SAID TENSIONING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS THEREON TO EFFECTIVELY VARY THE LENGTH THEREOF. 